The Argentine satellite SAC-D/Aquarius launched today from Vandenberg military air base in California. The launch was initially programmed for yesterday, but it was postponed on Wednesday afternoon due to “minor inconsistencies” found in the “launch information system” at NASA, Delta II.
Following new verifications and checks, everything was cleared by officials and satellite SAC-D maintained in “perfect operating conditions,” according to the Foreign Ministry when they announced the postponement of the mission for today.
Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman was present at the launch and assured that mission SAC-D/Aquarius, developed by Argentina and the United States, “marks a historic milestone” for Argentina, being able to take place thanks to “State politics” and “because of many scientists who supported the country.”
Timerman further affirmed that the data that the satellite sends back to Earth will “contribute to making good use of the ground, the seas, and help give a better understanding of the climate.”
The 36-step protocol in preparation for the launch was rehearsed twice prior to the launch, the last being on Monday, when they simulated a series of contingencies, or possible situations such as the breaking up of communication with the Space Centre in Córdoba, which is in charge of receiving data from the satellite, the engineer Caruso informed.
Almost 200 people were involved in the preparation for the launch, which usually has a duration window of about 5 minutes, under the supervision of a member of the United Launch Alliance (ULA), also in charge of giving the last series of commands before the satellite launch.
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